The recent arrest of a self-styled godman from Maharashtra on charges of sexually exploiting multiple women once again exposes a deeply troubling reality: the growing menace of fraudulent spiritual leaders, strutting with impunity and bawdy bravado, and preying on faith, vulnerability, and trust. The moral compass of these godmen appears dangerously unsteady—a matter of grave concern.

India has a long and rich spiritual tradition, where saints and sages have guided society with wisdom, restraint, and moral integrity. However, the rise of dubious godmen represents a distortion of this legacy. These figures manipulate religious sentiments to construct an aura of divinity around themselves, often presenting themselves as miracle workers, healers, or intermediaries between the divine and the mortal. In doing so, they attract large followings, particularly among those seeking solace in times of distress—be it illness, financial hardships, or emotional turmoil.

What begins as faith gradually turns into blind devotion. Followers surrender not only their belief systems but, unquestioningly, their agency as well. This unquestioning faith becomes fertile ground for exploitation. Women, in particular, are often the worst affected. Many victims are lured under the pretext........

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